Boiler-tube cleaner.



W. L. MIGGETT.

BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.16,1907

1,052, 1 64, Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. L. MIGGETT.

BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.16,190T

Patented Febp4, 1913.

2 $HEETS SHEET 2.

NW N Q w W WPWW w 4 & gull/47 7172 7 77%.??11 as; es

mid/(1f UNITED sra rpsga rsnr OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. MIGGETT, OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAH, ASSIGNOR TO RAPHAELJHERMAN 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

BOILER-TUBE CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patentedifiebigt, 1913.

Application filed December 16, 1907. Serial No. 406,675.

ne bject of this an improved boiler tube cleaner or blower and more particularly a blower of the type having a nozzle which is pivoted on a rotary carrier or section of the tubular invention is to provide body at an angle to the axis of the latter and which has its outlet arranged at an angle to the axis of its own pivot.

A further object is to so organize the blower that the nozzle-adjusting means are independent of the means for rotatin the nonzlecarrier, thus enabling the nozz e to be ,iadjusted to deliver thesteamblast into all of the tubes or fines and at the same-time avoid blowin and-destroying the arch and the sides of t e combustion chamber or delivering the steam below th; boiler and blowing smoke into the boiler room rindinterfering with the fire.

Applications for patents disclosing this invention have been filed in Austria February 22, 1907, application No. 1225, in

Hungary February 25, 1907, application No. 3007, Patent No. 39552; and inMeXico Septei'nber 25. 1907, application No. 9435, pat.- ent dated October 8, 1907. No. 7320'.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of 2 sheets: Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal, sectional elevation of the stationary brick sot boiler provided with my improved tube cleaner. Fi 2 is a similar view of the same, on an enl arged scale. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the cleaner. Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical cross sections of the cleaner taken in line 4 5, Fig. 2, looking in opposite directions, respectively. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section showing a modification of the means for operating the cleaner. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the same but showing a different from of handle.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

A represents the rearpart of the stationary boiler, a the horizontal fines or tubes and B the brick wall arranged in rear of the boiler and, Separated therefrom by an intervening smoke box or combustion chamber b.

C re resents the shell or outer stationary section of the'tu'bular body of th'elcleaner which is arranged horizontally in. it pening extending through the rear wall and provided at its inner or front endf with a head (I having a central opening. Near its outer end this body section is provi ed with a'iateral branch (1 whereby the sameis connected with a steam supply. y

E represents the cylindrical front section of the tubular body which is capable of both a longitudinally reciprocating and .a r'otary movement in an opening in the inner head (Z of the outer body section.

The front end of the fixed section of the tubular body is arranged some distance from the inner side of the combustion chamber or smoke bo'x formin a recess which preferably has a tubular casing ,or lining e.

F represents a hollow outer shaft" arranged'axially within the body sections and passing lengthwise through a'stufiing box f arranged in a head d whichcloses the outer end of the outer body section. Near its inner or front end this hollow shaft is connected with the rear or outer end of'thefront body section by means of a spider G which consists of a small collar g secured to the hollow shaft by a transverse pin or otherwise.

a large collar h secured to the rear end of the frontbody section bya screw joint or otherwise, and inclined arms li. connecting said collars, 'as shown ,in' Figs. 1, 2 and 5;

' I represents a crank arm or handle which is secured to the outer end of the hollow shaft and whereby the front body section and the parts mounted thereon may be.

turned. I

'J represents a tubular nozzle which is pivoted at its outer or rear end in an opening forined in the inclined front head of the front body section or nozzle carrier, the axis of this pivotal connection between the nozzle and said body sect-ion being arranged at an angle to the axis o f the latter. The front or delivery end j of the nozzle is atranged atian angle to the anis of the ivot about which it turns on the movable ody 'tion; 1 Inthe positionfshown' in full lines in Fjgif2r the nozzle isturned with its outlet wrecka e relatively to the axis J at saiil' I y sct ion and in-"dotted lines this nozzle i represented'as havingbeen shifted sitijon- ",in which the outlet is par anal witHtheaxis of rotation of thebodysection. By thus turning the nozzle with the bodyseetion andalso adjusting the nozzle so thatlits outlet is at different angles relative to-theaxis' of said section the blast.- of Steamissuing from the nozzle may be moved inv ciifeular paths of different diametersi over the entire tlue' area and thus con- 'eentrate the effect of the steam blast on a few fiues at a time, same more effectuallyl The means for turning the nozzle relathereby cleaning the tively to the f'ront body section comprises interposed between a shoulder on said catch -mits ofadjusting the nozzle relatively to the "front body section. and after such adjustni'entto' cause the nozzle and front body section t'o turn in unison. The means shown in Figs l, 2 and 3; for this purpose consists -of a pawh'catehor pin N guided in a socket n on the crank arni M parallel to the shafts and yieldingly' pressed forwardly toward the. hub o of the crank' arm I by a spring 0 and the bottom of. the guide socket 12 and a circular row of seats or grooves 7 1 which are formed on the outer side of the hub 0, one or another of which is adapted to be engaged by the operative end of the catch.

The front end of the latter is tapered and held frictio'nally in. engagement with one of the seats or grooves bythc spring 0 For the purpose of adjustin'g the nozzle relatively to the. movablebody sec'tion, the

crank arm M is pressed laterally sufficiently to disengage its catch fromthe seat on the hub of the crank arm I with which it ongages and ibis then turned and engaged with another seat 71 of the hub 0 which latter serves as a dial. spaced that when the catchengages with the first seat of the series the nozzle will be so shifted that the steam jet issuing there.-

.from will be trained-on the central tubes of the tube area, as shown by dotted tines in Figs. I and 2, while u'pon engaging the catch B *this means the nozzlemay be onthf movable body section so that thesteam-isfdeliyered at" different angles to. :the axis ofrot'at-ion of the movable body sec- The seats p are so of the crank arm I whereby this piece oper-' atesv as a stop whieh'engages opposite sides of the crank arm-I and thus limits the arm M to making less than a complete turn in either direction relative to thecrank arm I. The gear pinion l and rim 1 are so pro portioned that when the crankarm M is moved on the crank arm I from one extreme position to the other the nozzle will be shifted from one extreme position to the other relatively to the movable body section.

The front end of the hollow shaft terminates nearthe front end of the nozzle and is provided with a bearing q in which the frontend of the central shaft is'journaled. At its outer endthe hollow shaft is providedwith a stuffing box T which surrounds the central shaft and forms a tight joint between these sh'afts atthis point and also a bearing for the outer end ofthe central 1 S represents a retraetingspring surrounding the outer end of the hollow .shaft and bearing atjits front end vagainst the outer head of the fixed'bod section and at its rear end agaiusta was er s engaging with v I the front side of the hub of the crank arm I.

Upon turningon the steam the same upon entering the fixed body section presses against the movable body seetion and pushes I the latter forwardly together with the noz zle, central and hollow shafts and their crank arms until the nozzle projects into the combustion chamber as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 1. and 2. The forward movement of these parts is limited by the. large collar h of the spider engaging-with.the'iuner sideof the front head (i of the stationary. body section. -The steam also passes through the spider, front body section and the nozzle and is delivered from the outlet end of the latter towardthe flue area. While the nozzlc and front body section are thus pro eetetl toward the fines the same are turned together by means of the crank arm I. After each rotationthe nozzle is ad usted relatively to thc'front body section by shifting the crank arm M relatively tn the crank arm I, as before described. for causmglho steam to be directed by the nozzle against different circular sections of the flue area. Upon turning off the steam, the shafts. front body section and nozzle and associated parts are automatically retracted or moved rearacts as an nseam wardly by the spring S, so that said nozzle I and section are within the casing, whereby they are protected from the effects of the heat or fire in the combustion chamber when not in use. This retracting movement of these parts is limited by means of a stop or collar t secured to the hollow shaft within the fixed body sect n and engaging with the inner side of the l. ;.ii at the outer end of the same.

By providing the nozzle with adjusting means independent of the means for turning the rotary body or nozzle-carrier E, the nozzle can not only be adjusted at different anles to the carrier to ca! e the steam-blast by the rotation of the r to traverse different oircular' it of the flue area but the at nozzle can be changed at dille of the carrier to 1 ing beyond the 21, area. thus avoidin the fire clay helm and the side wal disintegration of i occurs when the brick work. n.v

pacity of the nozzle bl a gle to be changed to "void delivering the steam-blast below the a, which results in disturbingv the fire and blowing the smoke and flames l l' l. the furm e doors into t from passas of the flue destruction of was of the arch ilei sctting and iilltil which ultimately it is blown against the nende t adjusting cathe fur in ll une tion it will be 0 Kl erves not only i zle, but i.

location on it. gular positiw ular zone or port t, M in due lti'iu against which the steam et is being trained. giving the operator full control of the My improved blower is especially desirable for large boilers and such as ha vc an oblong flue area of considerable width in pro portion to its height, inasmuch the nozzle may be adjusted to reach and clean the mar ginal and corner tubes or lines of the boiler and still practically confines its action to the limits of the flue area.

Instead of employing the device shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 for adjusting the nozzle relatively to the front body section, that shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may be used for this purt a rota taand rnaled anion n lhe rotation v 5 which 'nner and outer shafts are turned in the "ame direction but at different speeds, thereby causing the nozzle and front body section to turn together about the axis of the latter and at the same time the nozzle is turned about its own axis on said section, thereby causing a constant change in the relative osition of the nozzle to said body section which has theefl'ect of delivering the steam over the flue area in a spiral line. At one point on its periphery the sun gear wheel is provided with a stop lug w which is adapted to engage with one side or the other of the planet. pinion and thereby limit the rotary movement of the gear wheel in either direction relatively to the pinion. this movement being somewhat less than a complete turn of the gear wheel. The relation of these gears is so determined that when the stop w of the sun gear wheel is moved from one side of the planet pinion to the other side thereof the nozzle will have been shifted from one extreme position to the other relatively to the mo able body sectioin thereby enabling the operator to know when he has turned these parts sufficiently to deliver the steam into all of the fines of the boiler.

If desired, the planeopinion may be provided with a handle a, as shown in Fig. 7, for manipulation by the operator when sullicient room is available for this purpose, but when there is no spare room adjacent to the wheel V and pinion r to permit of operating the same by hand. a rod 1 is provided is attached at one end to :1 lug z the side of the gear pinion, shown in Fig. 6, while its opposite end extends lat-- orally therefrom to a point within convenient reach of the operator.

I do not wish to be limited to the particular embodiments of the blower herein shown and described. as the same may be obviously modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the invention. 7

I claim as my inventioni l. A boiler tube cleaner com u'ising; a fixed body section having a steam inlet. a movable body section capable of longitudinal and rotary movement in the fixed set-- tion. a hollow shaft connected with said movable section and xtending through said fixed section and having a longitudinal and rotary movement with said movable body sertioiu a nozzle mounted on said movable 12o section and capable of being moved into different angular positions relatively to the movable body section. a central .-;ltaft arranged lengthwise in the hollow shaft, and

means operativcly connecting said central shaft and said nozzle for adjustingthe lat ter. substantially as set forth.

2. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a

movable body section capable of longitudi- 13g mil and rotary movement in the fixed sec tlon, a hollow shaft connected with. said movable section and extending through'said fixed section and having a longitudinal and rotary movement with said movable body section, a nozzle indunted on said movable section and capable of bein moved into different an nlar positions reiiitively to the movable bo y section, a central shaft arranged. lengthwise in the hollow shaft,and means 0 eratively connecting said central shaft an said nozzle and adjusting the latter and consisting of a gear pinion arranged on the central shaft and meshing with a gear rim on the nozzle, substantially as set forth. 3 4

3. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a movable body section capable of longitudinal and rotary movement in said fixed section, a hollow shaft extending through said fixed section and having.a longitudinal and rotary movement with said movable body section, a spider connecting the hollow shaft and said movable section,'a nozzle mounted on said movable section and capable of being moved into different an ular positions relatively to the movable llflt y section. and a central shaft arranged within the hollow shaft and operatively connected with said nozzle for adjusting the latter, substantially as set forth.

4. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a movable bodysection capable of longitudinal and rotary movement in the fixedscction. a hollow shaft connected with said movable secmeans 0 cratively connecting said central shaft an said nozzle, and a spring operating to hold the hollow shaft and the parts connected therewith yicldingly in a retracted position. substantially as set forth.

5. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet,a movable body section capable of rotary movement in the fixed section. a hollow shaft connected with said movable Section and extending through said fixed section and having a rotary movement, a nozzle mounted on said movable section and capable of being moved into different angular positions relatively to the movable body section. a central shaft arranged lengthwise in the hollow shaft. means i'iperatively connecting said central shaft 1' ad said nozzle. and means for turning the. hollow and central shafts operatively connecteu with the outer ends thereof. sulr stantially as set forth.

6. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a movable body section capable of rotary movement in said fixed section, a nozzle mounted on the inner or front end of said movable sectiori and capable of being moved into different angular positions relatively to the movable body section, a central shaft operativelv connected at its inner or front end wit said nozzle, and a hollow shaft capable. of rotary movement receiving said central shaft and arranged within said body sections and provided at its inner end with a bearing in which the central shaft is journaled, substantially as set forth.

7. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a carrier or body section having a steam supply and capable of rotarymovement. a nozzle mounted on said movable section and capable of bein moved into different angular positions re atively to the movable body section, and means constructed to permit of shifting the nozzle and movable section one independently of the other, substantially as set forth.

' 8. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a movable body section capable of rotary movement relatively to said fixed section. a nozzle mountedon said movable section and capable of being moved into different angular positions relatively to the movable body section, a hollow shaft connected with the movable section, a central shaft ar ranged in the hollow shaft and operatively connected with thenozzle, and means for connecting and disconnecting said shafts so as to permit of shifting them together or to permit of shifting one independently of. the other. substantially as set forth.

S). boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a movable body section capable of .rotary mow mcnt relatively to said fixed section. a nozzle mounted on said movable section .and capahleof beinginoved into different angular positions relatively to the movable body section, a hollow shaft connected with the movable section, a central shaft arranged in the hollow shn ft and opcratively connected with the nozzle, crank arms connected. respectively. with the outer ends of said shafts, and means for connecting and disconnecting said arms. substantially as set forth.

]O..\ boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet. a movable body section capable of rotary movement relatively to said fixed section. a nozzle mounted on said movable section and capable of being moved into different angular positions relatively to the movable body section. a hollow shaft connected with the movable section. a central shaft arranged in the hollow shaft and operatively counected with the nozzle, and means for'coupling said shafts in different circular ositions relatively to each other, substantial y as set forth. 7

11. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a movable body section capable of rotary movement relatively to said fixed section, a nozzle mounted on said movable section and capable of bein moved into different angular positicnsre atively to the movable body section. a hollow shaft connected with the movable section, a central shaft arranged in the hollow shaft and operatively connected with the nozzle. and means for coupling said shafts in differentcircular positions relatively to each other consisting of'an arm connected with the outer end of said hollow shaft and having its hub pro vided with a circular rowof seats, an arm connected with the outer end of the central shaft, and a spring catch mounted on said last mentioned arm and adapted to engage with one or the other of the seats in the hub of the first mentioned arm, substantially as set forth.

l2. boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a movable body section capable of rotary mo vement relatively to said fixed section, a nozzle mounted on said movable section and capable of being moved into different angular positions relatively to the movablebody section, a hollow shaft connected with the movable section, a central shaft arranged in the hollow shaft and operatively connected with the nozzle, an arm secured tonne of stlitl shafts. a pinion. mounted onsaid arm. and a gear wheel secured to the other shaft and meshing with said pinion. substantially as set forth.

13. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet. a movable body. section capable of rotary movement relatively to said fixed section. a nozzle mounted on said movable secti on and capable of being moved into different angular positions relatively to the movable body section. a hollow shaft connected with the movable section. a central shaft an ranged in the hollow shaft and opcratively connected with the nozzle. an arm secured to one of said shafts. a pinion mounted on said arm. and a gear wheel secured to the other shaft moshing with said pinion. and a handle arranged on said pinion. substantially as set forth.

H. A boiler tube cleaner con'iprising a tixed body section having a steam inlet. a movable body section capable of rotar v movement relatively to said fixed section. a nozzle mounted on said movable section and capable of being moved into ditfml ent angular positions relatively to the mo\'' able body section, a hollow shaft connected with the movable section, a central shaft arranged in the hollow shaft and operatively connected with the nozzle, an arm secured to one of said shafts, a pinion mounted on said arm, and a gear wheel secured to the other shaft meshing with said pinion, and' a stop arranged on said wheel and adapted to limit the rotary movement of the same relatively to said'piuion. substantially as set forth.

15. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a fixed body section having a steam inlet, a movable bodv section capable of rotary movement 1e atively to said fixed section, a nozzle mounted on said movable section and'capable of being moved into different angular ositions relatively to the movable body section, a hollow shaft connected with the movable section, a central shaft arranged in the hollow shaft and operatively connected with the nozzle, an arm secured to the. outer end of the hollow shaft, a pinion mounted on said arm and provided with a handle, and a gear wheel secured to the outer end 'of the central shaft and meshing with said pinion and provided with a stop adapted to engage with said pinion for limiting the rotary movement of said gear wheel relatively to the pinion, substantially as set forth. i

16. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a rotary bodv or carrier. means for supplying steam thereto, a steam-delivery nozzle mounted on said body and capable of being moved into different angular positions with relation to the axis of the body, means for rotating said body, and adjusting means independent of said body-rotating means for shifting the nozzle relatively to the body.

17. The combination of a steam boiler having horizontal tubes, a wall opposite the ends of the boiler-tubes having an opening extending Len thwise of the tubes, at body or ca rrier rotata ly arranged-.in'said opening, means for supplying steam to said body, a steam delivery nozzle mounted on said body and capable of being moved into ditfcrent angular positions relatively to the axis of the body, means exterior to"said wall for rotating said body, and means independent of said body rotating means and exterior of said wall for adjusting said nozzle with reference to the body.

18. The con'ibination of a steam boiler having horizontal tubes. a wall opposite the ends of the lmilcr-tulws having an opening extending lengthwise of the tubes. :1 body or carrier rotatably arranged in said opt-nin means for supplying steam to said body, a steam delivery nozzle mounted on said body and capable of being moved into different angular positions relatively to the axis of the body. means exteriorto said \vall'for rotating said body, an adjusting shaft for said nozzle extending lengthwise of said body and provided exterior to said wall with an operating device independent of said body rotatin means, and means for operatively connctin the nozzle with said shaft.

19. A no cleaner comprising a movable member With means for moving the member, a nozzle at the end of said member and movable therewith, and means independent of said other moving means for differentially adjusting the nozzle.

'acter described, the combination with a carrier member, means for axially moving the carrier member, an adjustable nozzle associated with the carrier member, and means independent of the carrier moving means for adjusting the nozzle, substantially as described.

23. In a boiler flue cleaner, the combination with a movable member, of a jet nozzle associated therewith, means for supplying steam to the nozzle, means for moving the movable member for changing the direction of the issuing jet, and independent means for adjusting the nozzle.

24. A boiler-tube cleaner comprising a rotary body having means for rotating the same, a nozzle adjustably mounted on said body, means independent of said body rotating means for adjusting the nozzle, and

means for indicating the position of the nozzle.

25. A boiler-tube cleaner, comprising a rotary body having means for rotating the same, a nozzle adjusta-bly mounted on said body, means independent of said body rotating means for adjustin the nozzle, and means associated with said nozzle-adjusting means for indicating the position of the nozzle.

:26. A boiler-tube cleaner comprising a rotary body, means for rotating said body carrying a dial, a nozzle adjustably mounted on said body, and nozzle-adjusting means independent of said body-rotating means, including a member arranged to traverse said dial.

27. A boiler tube cleaner, comprising a rotary body having means for dellvering a steanrjet at different angles to the axis of said body, means for controlling the delivery-angle of the jet, means for rotating said body, a shaft operatively connected with said controlling means, extending lengthwise of said body and rotatable independentlv thereof, and means for coupling said shaft to said body-rotating means.

28. A boiler tube cleaner comprising a rotary body, means for rotating said body having a circular row of retaining seats, a nozzle adjustably mounted on said body, an adjusting shaft for said nozzle extending lengthwise of said body and rotatable independently thereof, and an operating arm mounted on said shaft and carr ing acatch adapted to engage one or anot er of said seats.

Vitness my hand this 10th av of December, 1907.

\VILLIAM L. MIGGETT.

Witnesses HARRY C. TURNER, JOHN H. STEVENSON. 

